Question

A light ray passes from medium 1 to medium 2 as shown in the diagram. Calculate the refractive index of medium 2 with respect to medium 1.

• A. $\sqrt{2}$
• B. 2
• C. $\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$
• D. $\frac{1}{2}$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$

From Snell’s law,
$\Rightarrow \frac{sini}{sinr}=n_{21}$
Where,
$i$ = Incident angle
$r$ = Refracted angle
$n_{21}$ = Refractive index of medium 2 with respect to medium 1
$\Rightarrow \frac{sin30}{sin45}=n_{21}$
$\Rightarrow n_{21}=\frac{1/2}{1/\sqrt{2}}$
$\Rightarrow n_{21}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$